Chennai Express - Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Cranston

I have been ordering here for a long time now in Chennai Express. This is the BEST Indian restaurant in RI and would easily compete with the few good Indian restaurants in MA. Their Goat meat is the most tender in RI and MA restaurants. The Goat biryani is a must try.

UPDATE: I have been ordering in this restaurant since they opened. But something changed few months back. They probably had a different chef. The sambar was not good as before, the goat biryani preparation method was totally screwed up. We just hoped it might be a one off thing and ignored it. After few months, we ordered food online on Saturday. we were celebrating an occasion. I ordered at 6:29 PM and it said a pick time of 7:04 to 7:14 . I reached hotel at 7:05 PM. Since it was within their window I was fine when they said 10 minutes. Around 7:20 they gave the order. so I already waited there for 20 minutes with family in the car. I stepped out and checked that the order was missing goat biryani. It looks like the printout they had stuck to the bag also did not have the order. But I have already paid for the entire order including goat biryani. so I went back and pointed out the mistake. after realizing this is a mistake on their part, they should ideally have rushed on this order and corrected their mistake. But instead I see that around 4 to 5 dine-in orders coming out of the kitchen, and around 4 to 5 online/phone orders coming out of kitchen to be placed on desk. So it was clear they forgot. So the lady went in again and reminded them probably and 10 minutes after that I get my missing order out. It was 7:45 PM already with family waiting on the car. any other restaurant would have not charged me for the missing order and for making me wait for 40 minutes. Instead he just said sorry in an irritating fashion. To add to the agony, the biryani was the same as the previous order, with some mutton sauce/marinade at the bottom of the box and some rice on top. It was not their original method. Most of the other dishes we ordered were all tasting differently. so it was pretty sure that the chef has changed. I don't think we will be ordering here again. But I f..ing hate when I pay premium for badly prepared food and bad service. see attached image for the order and the image of goat biryani. People who have been regularly buying here would have realized already that the chef has changed or the preparation method has changed. For newly dining in...

If you are looking for a larger Indian restaurant with a hostess, fancy decor, and some scheduled belly dancing for entertainment, this is not it. If you are seeking really well prepared, authentic Indian food, in a cozy neighborhood spot, then this is the place you seek.

I've seen this place when it first opened. I remember making a mental note to go in then just kept forgetting about it. Well, seeing that it still exists about 3 years later, I was convinced there is something special about it so this time, I headed in.

Chennai Express is hands down, the best Indian restaurant in RI. Step into the small spot for ordering to-go or dining in, and your nose will be treated to the fragrant, mouthwatering aroma of dishes being prepared in the kitchen. I walked in and sat down on an empty table to peruse the menu for a to-go order. It was a challenge picking which dish to order as the menu presented a host of delicious options--from the more popular Indian dishes, to very authentic sounding appetizers and entrees. I wanted them all. Ultimately, I decided on Shrimp Biryani, Butter Chicken, and Nellore Fish Curry. These did not disappoint at all. The rice and chicken were not dry and the sauce were so flavorful.

While waiting for my order, I have witnessed how busy Chennai is for take out. There's a quick cycle of pick up orders on the counter. A small group occupied two of the four 4-seater tables. I cannot help but look at their orders, taking note of the dishes for my next visit (yes, I was already planning coming back even before getting my order).

Tip: Bring some cash so you avoid paying a surcharge. They take Venmo, too.

I get home and excitedly open my package...mmm...worth the wait. Chennai Express is...

Overall decent food with fairly large portions though a little pricey, especially the appetizers. So if you get an appetizer, a main course, and say a lassi and naan to share it will be about $40 per person after tax and tip (takeout). The special chicken biryani tasted a bit odd. Super heavy on the cardamom, but was dry overall, desperately needed a bit of ghee, and I don't think I got the requested protein (marinated chicken) but what looked to be a deep fried darker meat which again was dry (both meat and breading/sauce). Not a fan of the huge slice of raw onion on top as well as lime with questionable rind and boiled egg (boiled to oblivion to almost greyish). Would prefer browned onions and cilantro or mint. A few cashews or peanuts wouldn't hurt either. The naan was decent and not chewy, although having ordered a cheese naan, still looking for the cheese?!? The sambar vada was tasty, but quite filling and it was the first time having it so my expectations were low. I heard some microwave beeps and doors opening and closing while waiting for the food so hopefully ALL food is cooked to order and not the work of "Chef Mike". The fourth star is there, albeit barely, thanks to the online ordering system which was convenient, and felt it was purposefully built. Lastly, the alarm system started beeping periodically and had to be shut off by staff. A bit annoying...